Authorities Crack Down on False and Misleading Online Ads for Medical and Cosmetic Products
Creatrip Team
6 months ago
South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety inspected online advertisements ahead of the Lunar New Year, when gift purchases rise, and found 178 instances of false or exaggerated claims across medical devices, cosmetics, and quasi-drugs. For medical devices, 100 illegal overseas direct-purchase ads promoted unapproved items like personal low-frequency stimulators and electric cupping devices. In cosmetics, 25 cases (71%) falsely advertised cosmetic products as having drug-like effects (whitening, wrinkle improvement), with additional cases misrepresenting ordinary cosmetics as functional or promoting effects like muscle pain relief and skin regeneration. For quasi-drugs commonly sold in gift sets (e.g., mouthwash, tooth-whitening products, toothpaste), 43 ads made false or exaggerated claims about approved effects. The agency asked platforms (including Naver, Coupang, 11st) and broadcast/media authorities to block the posts and urged inspections of repeat violators, promising ongoing monitoring especially around holidays to protect consumers.
